I already thought that The Reason Why from Keller & Schönwälder’s 3-CD box set was excellent. But then I kept reading reviews of people who had attended the show, claiming that, as good as this CD was, it left off some of the best bits from their performance at Jodrell Bank. Well, this pudding is the proof. Packaged in a clean blue plastic jewel case, the music is razor-sharp electronics presented in stellar fashion. High, shimmering metallic synths crest over the top of wonderful, classic Berlin school sequencing. The 31-minute “Da Capo” is trademark Teutonics, beginning with light, atmospheric synths and bells, not taking too long before the first sequence begins. Infinitely swirling loops seem to grow and multiply, no doubt making the fan of classic Tangerine Dream or Klaus Schulze swoon from the excitement and sheer pleasure of hearing this. Layers keep on adding to the mix just right, from percussion to piano, from kicking beats to dramatic choirs. As strong an opener as this is, the last two tracks are equally solid. “Tanz der Elfen” rips a page out of Schulze’s book of classic hypnotic sequences with just the right dark touches from synth strings and choirs. The stuttering rhythm pattern works especially well. Again it builds very, very nicely, reaching dizzying heights of interlacing sequences. This is reminiscent of some of their best work from their Loops and Beats CD. The aptly named “Chill Out” brings things to a wonderfully mellow conclusion. Simply a must-have.

Latest news

2017-07-27Yestival Dates Beef up the Beat –
Word reaches us that Dylan Howe (son of guitarist Steve Howe) will be joining Yes on their "Yestival" tour, drumming alongside longtime band member Alan White. »
Read more

2017-05-19First ProgStock Festival Set for October –
October 2017 will see the inaugural edition of a festival called ProgStock in Rahway, New Jersey at the Union County Performing Arts Center. With a definite slant towards neo-progressive music, the event is sure to please many fans with the inclusion of such artists as Echolyn, Glass Hammer, and Aisles. The festival will take place October 13-15. »
Read more

2017-05-05Clive Brooks RIP –
Word reaches us today of another sad passing in the music world. Drummer Clive Brooks, best known as a member of such Canterbury bands as Egg, Uriel / Arzachel, and Groundhogs, has died at the age of 67. Details are sketchy at this point. The news was reported on Nick Mason's Facebook page — Brooks was Mason's drum tech. »
Read more

2017-05-02Col. Bruce Hampton RIP –
The phrase "He died doing what he loved" is almost a cliche, but in the case of Col. Bruce Hampton, it couldn't be more true. Hampton, who was born Gustav Berglund III, collapsed on stage at his own 70th birthday celebration and later passed away. The event took place at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. »
Read more

2017-04-16ProgDay 2017 Announces First Bands –
Flor de Loto, Sonar, and Infinien are the first three performers to be announced for the 2017 edition of the long-running ProgDay Festival. The 23rd ProgDay takes place Saturday and Sunday, September 2nd and 3rd, at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. »
Read more

Previously in Exposé...

Ars Nova - Fear and Anxiety –
Here is one of those albums that I hate at one listen, and love at the next. Ars Nova is a Japanese instrumental trio of mega-keyboards, bass, and drums, playing pretty much in the tired old keyboard...
(1994) »
Read more